A Wizard’s Secret

Standing in front of the Resource Tower, Merlin looked helpless. He originally thought that Dark Magic Region was a stable environment for him to level-up to a First-level Spell Caster, and he could stay here safely for three years.

His plans looked to be ruined now with the current situation. He had no idea how serious the problems were in Dark Magic Region so all he could do was to prepare for the worst.

In no time, Merlin reached the second floor of the Resource Tower and was met with a huge crowd. Spell Casters from Entrance-level to First-level were gathered in the tower. Some of them were exchanging spells, some were trading casting tools and some potions. Needless to say, these Spell Casters were making preparations to leave the Dark Magic Region as well.

Wasting no time, Merlin headed straight to the Thunder-type spell area and searched for First-level spells.

Among the many Thunder-type spells, Merlin had mastered the Thunderbolt Net. Thus, this time, he needed to find some Thunder-type spells that could pull off range attacks. For Merlin, it was essential that the basic compatibility between spells were considered during spells selection.

For some Spell Casters who insisted on choosing offensive First-level spells, despite them mastering only defensive Zero-level spell casting, it was inevitable that they failed due to the incompatibility between spells no matter how the Spell Model was reconstructed.

Therefore, even with the help of The Matrix, Merlin would not choose incompatible spells. In terms of Thunder-type spells, he would rather pick one that could launch attacks within range, especially if it could catalyze an improvement of Thunderbolt Net thus making it more powerful.

Browsing through the spells, Merlin finally set his eyes on a First-level spell, Thunderlight Ball.

“Thunderlight Ball, the First-level spell for a big-range attack, constructed by a Seventh-level Spell Caster upon the foundations of Thunderbolt Net to produce greater power; forming uncountable Thunder Balls in order to cause greater destruction within the targeted range. However, only with the ability to construct the Zero-level spell Thunderbolt Net that one can select Thunderlight Ball. Eighty contribution points!”

After reading the introduction on Thunderlight Ball, Merlin did not even continue to browse for other Thunder-type spells. No doubt, Thunderlight Ball was the spell he was thinking about.

Besides, it was reconstructed upon the basis of Thunderbolt Net by a Seventh-level Spell Caster so it should have great power and compatibility. For Merlin, this spell suited him best.

Now that he had chosen a Thunder-type spell, it was time for the important Darkness-type spell.

Ever since he constructed Dark Mist, it has undoubtedly become Merlin’s most powerful spell, helping him defeat many formidable Spell Casters.

Dark Mist was indeed very strange and unique. With exception to those with strong Mind Power who could totally disregard Dark Mist, there was only Wizard Abril, who among the many opponents that Merlin has faced, could restraint the prowess of Dark Mist by deploying his First-level spell, Wind Twister.

Wind Twister may be a common spell, but it restrained Dark Mist precisely.

Dark Mist, in essence, was merely a mist. It was only with the element of Darkness, that it acquired such strange characteristics that caused hallucinations.

Although it could be controlled by certain Wind-type spells, Dark Mist was still a very powerful Zero-level spell. Hence, when searching for Darkness-type First-level spells, Merlin would abide in finding spells similar to Dark Mist but with a higher level of hallucinating quality.

Darkness-type spells were very rare in the Dark Magic Region. There were not many Zero-level spells, what more First-level spells. It was only a handful of First-level Darkness-type spells.

Merlin was concerned on how to choose between the few Darkness-type spells if he was not able to find compatible ones.

However, as soon as he got his hands on the first spell, all of his worries went out of the window. Merlin was overjoyed after reading the mere introduction of it.

“Dark Light Realm, First-level Darkness-type spell. It can bend light rays, causing complete darkness to befall upon a certain region while implicating a strong hallucinating effect. Dark Light Realm has a complicated Spell Model that is not inferior to those of certain Second-level Spells. In choosing this spell, one should be warned to be careful! Be careful! Be careful! Two hundred contribution points!”

As he read the introduction to the spell, Merlin could hardly suppress his excitement; the effects of Dark Light Realm had far exceeded his expectations. In comparison to Dark Mist that can be restrained by certain Wind-type spells, this Dark Light Realm was almost flawless.

Being able to bend light, willing complete darkness upon a certain region and implicating strong hallucination effects; with the combination of such qualities, the power of this spell could easily surpass some Second-level spells.

Indeed, the price for Dark Light Realm was ridiculously expensive too. Two hundred contribution points –it was pricier than some Second-level spells.

As to the reiteration of the warnings ‘Be careful’ on the introduction, it was yet unseen on many spell introductions –even with Frigid Ice that had an incredibly complicated Spell Model.

Nevertheless, Merlin did not hesitate in choosing Dark Light Realm. No matter how intricate the Spell Model may be, he could still analyze it with The Matrix; to him, complicated Spell Models that were actually the simplest for him.

After making his decision, Merlin developed a strong interest in Darkness-type spells. As Darkness-type spells were scarce in the Dark Magic Region, Merlin set out to search for more of them, hoping to discover how the higher-level Darkness-type spells would be like.

However, after a long search, Merlin found none. In the Resource Tower, there were only Darkness-type spells from Zero and First-level.

As for the rest of the elements, Merlin observed that the levels of spells even went up to the Sixth-level.

As the scarcity of Darkness-type spells registered in his mind, Merlin realized that once he leveled up to be a First-level Spell Caster, it would be harder for him to obtain Second-level spells. At that point, he might even have to find those spells on his own.

Merlin knew not of the reason for the rarity of Darkness-type spells, but perhaps it had been difficult to acquire the spells of this element. After all, the spells in the Resource Tower were voluntarily contributed by Spell Casters within the Dark Magic Region who seek to trade them for contribution points.

Therefore, if one who mastered a certain spell was unwilling to contribute it, then the spells would naturally become scarce.

After browsing around the Resource Tower for a while, Merlin also came to note that as compared to the scarce Darkness-type spells, there was no trace of Light-type spells.

It was only in Blackwater City where he fought with Sir Jason that Merlin had witnessed first-hand Light-type spells at work. After entering the Dark Magic Region in the Kingdom of Blackmoon, he has never met another Spell Caster capable of constructing Light-type spells.

In the Resource Tower, a variety of spells were stored. Despite the fact that there were only a handful of Darkness-type spells, there were still at least Zero to First-level Darkness-type spells in contrast to Light-type spells which were virtually non-existent.

“Even in the Resource Tower, there are no Light-type spells to be found, perhaps this is related to secrets concerning Spell Casters, maybe even those of the Church of Light…I should ask Wizard Leo when I have a chance,” Merlin muttered under his breath.

He left the second floor and headed up to the third floor of the Resource Tower.

The third floor was where potions and potion formulas were traded, while the fourth floor was for trading casting tools and potion materials.

With such changes in the Dark Magic Region, Merlin must be well-prepared for departing the area. He recalled his promise to the black-robed old man that he will bring him Spell Model-stabilizing Potion if he found any and headed off on a search for it.

Spell Model-stabilizing Potions were quite common in the Dark Magic Region, it was just that most of them were temporary solutions that did not cure the root of the problem. Such potions worked only to relieve the danger of collapsing Spell Models in the Awareness, not to thoroughly stabilize the Spell Model itself. If they had worked effectively, then the stability of Spell Models would no longer be a concern.

Having unstable Spell Models, the black-robed old man had already lost hope in becoming a Spell Caster; his only hope was to stabilize his internal Spell Model so that it was not necessary for him to use his Mind Power to control it.

Merlin bought a portion of Purple Stone Powder potion and its formula each. While a portion of Purple Stone Powder only cost twenty contribution points, its potion formula was a good eighty contribution points.

Although it was a pain, Merlin bit his tongue and bought the items, spending a hundred contribution points. He originally had a hundred and forty-five contribution points, but now he was only left with a mere forty-five.

Fortunately, out of the potion materials that helped to trigger the old man included the Purple Stone Powder hence he would not have to purchase more potion materials separately.

After making his choice, Merlin went to the fourth floor to acquire a defensive casting tool to accompany his departure from the Dark Magic Region.

However, after checking out the casting tools on the fourth floor, Merlin could only shake his head in disapproval as the products were just ridiculously priced. With the forty-five contribution points that he was left with, he could not afford any of it.

Unfruitful with his original plan, Merlin returned to the third floor to purchase some potions for wound treatment. As these potions were inexpensive, Merlin thought that he might as well stock up for emergencies.

After making his selection, Merlin had only five contribution points left.

“These should be just about right.” Feeling satisfied with himself, Merlin sorted out the potions and potion formulas he traded. But just as he was prepared to leave, an unusual potion at the corner of his eye caught his attention.

“Vitality Potion?”

Merlin recalled the young female wizards in the Dark Magic Region who were willing to trade large amounts of contribution points for Vitality Potions to maintain their youth and beauty.

Thanks to the Vitality Potion, some female wizards around their fifties and sixties looked as if they were twenty years old. Naturally, Merlin found no need for such potions because for him, purchasing Vitality Potions were a pure waste of contribution points.

As he turned to leave, Avril and Charise’s silhouettes flashed through his mind. There and then, Merlin stopped in his tracks and traded his last five contribution points for a Vitality Potion.

One Vitality potion should be sufficient to maintain the vitality of three individuals’ skin for a long time.

“They would be pleased with this…” The corners of Merlin’s lips curled into a smile as he quickly left the Resource Tower.

*****

“Teacher Leo, I’ve picked my last two spells, they are Thunderlight Ball and Dark Light Realm!” Merlin said in a low voice in Wizard Leo’s house.

“Oh? Dark Light Realm? I expected you to choose this spell,” Leo said without a hint of surprise. With an ugly ‘smile’, he continued calmly, “For Dark Light Realm, the intricacy of its Spell Model can go beyond some Second-level spells. But since you have chosen Dark Mist, it is certain that you would choose Dark Light Realm…”

Leo shook his head at the accuracy of his prediction. Merlin did not care about issues regarding the construction of Spell Models. At the thought of Merlin choosing Dark Mist and Frigid Ice, spells with complicated Spell Models, it was no wonder that he would decide on Dark Light Realm.

Leo took out two volumes of spells which Merlin skimmed through quickly. Indeed, they were the Spell Models of Thunderlight Ball and Dark Light Realm.

Merlin kept the spells but did not turn to leave. Instead, with a slight hesitation, he asked, “Teacher Leo, after I depart from Dark Magic Region, will I have the chance to return again?”

Wizard Leo had a strange expression on his face, the blood-colored vertical eye on his forehead twitched non-stop. He answered gravely, “Things aren’t as bad as you think it is. The Dark Magic Region has existed for more than a thousand years, it will not be destroyed that easily. Give it a year or so, and the issue will be resolved. And when that time comes, I will inform you to return.”

Merlin nodded, he trusted Wizard Leo’s words, perhaps he had been overthinking things. Dark Magic Region being an institution of Spell Casters with such a long legacy and heritage would not fall so easily.

“Alright, leave now. Remember, do not sloth after you leave the Dark Magic Region. You only have two years. Furthermore, in the outside world, you will not have the same amount of resources available here. I hope that when your return, you will at least be able to cast one First-level spell.”

Leo then shooed Merlin away with a wave of his hand. His last words indicated clearly how different he valued Merlin as compared to the other students.

It did not matter how Leo was to his other students because for Merlin, his teacher had treated him well. With a respectful bow towards Wizard Leo, Merlin turned and left Leo’s room.